PURPOSE
This program is designed to satisfy the needs of pastors, teachers and directors of Christian education who wish to improve their proficiency in the area of parish education. Courses in education, psychology and theology are included in this program. No state teacher certification is offered with this degree.
OBJECTIVES
Graduate students who complete the master of parish education degree will have:
1. increased competence in administering the educational ministry of a congregation;
2. broadened their ability to develop an integrated, multi-aged parish education ministry;
3. gained an appreciation of the importance and role of parish educationin carrying out the congregation’s mission;
4. an advanced understanding of varying approaches for preparing parish leaders and teachers;
5. increased their ability to utilize planning in parish education;
6. demonstrated an ability to teach major themes of the Old and New Testaments to all age groups;
7. identified ways of engaging various age groups in a study of Christian ethics and moral decision making;
8. demonstrated the ability to plan and implement a program of confirmation ministry; and
9. developed the skill to initiate and conduct family education in the parish.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Core Requirements - 9 Hours
PSY 555 Life Span Development 3
EDUC 595 Research Design 3 hours
SOC/THEO 565 Serving and Leading in Community and World 3 hours
Parish Education Requirements - 18 Hours
EDUC 583 Primary Education: Dev., Methods, Curriculum & Assessment 3 hours
EDUC 586 Parish Education: Planning and Evaluation 3 hours
OR
EDUC 585 Parish Education Program Administration 3 hours
THEO 550 Understanding and Teaching the Bible 3 hours< br/> THEO 582 Nurturing Faith through Family, School and Congregation 3 hours
THEO 545 Theology and Practice of Confirmation Ministry 3 hours
THEO 585 Family Life Ministry 3 hours
Supporting Courses
Option I EDUC 598 Thesis 6 hours
One Supporting Course 3 hours
Option II EDUC 599 Independent Study 3hours
and Two Supporting Courses 6 hours
Option III Three Courses from Supporting Courses Pool 9 hours
Total: 36 Hours
Supporting Courses Pool
PSY 521 Advanced Child Development and Psychology 3 hours
PSY 512 Educational Assessment 3 hours
PSY 552 Adolescent Psychology 3 hours
PSY 542 Introduction to Counseling 3 hours
PSY 551 Personality Theory 3 hours
PSY 545 Foundations of Christian Marriage and Family Counseling 3 hours
THEO 560 Factors in Congregational Growth 3 hours
THEO 583 Sexuality and the Family 3 hours
THEO 587 Planning Adult Education in Congregations 3 hours
THEO 589 Ministry in a Changing World 3 hours
THEO 563 Studies in the Lutheran Confessions 3 hours
Courses which can be taken by directed self-study:
EDUC 583 Primary Education: Dev., Methods, Curriculum and Assessment 3 hours
THEO 550 Understanding and Teaching the Bible 3 hours
THEO 582 Nurturing Faith through Family, School and Congregations 3 hours
THEO 587 Planning Adult Education 3 hours
